No clapping for any of this insanity! All of these wars of choice for the past 4 decades are criminal on their face, and the USA has not only lost them all, but they've destroyed whole swaths of the Levant, returned control of Iraq to Shia friendly to Iran, and ended up with the Taliban back in charge in Afghanistan. Not to mention the millions of deaths resulting from endless sanctions. Shame on those Americans who blindly support any or all of this!
Our leaders are so stupid and they've been watching too many James Bond movies. They tried this in Ukraine to take over a nuclear power plant and the special forces were blown up before they even got off the boat.
Several reports are talking about the raid, just not MSM, including Breaking Points today, and others reporting on substack. The big silence from the MSM is intended to induce the Big Sleep, which will allow this disastrous small-group engagement to be initiated. The likelihood that Iran will not be prepared to repel them is laughable: The idea that Iran will not cause immense pain to the aggressors elsewhere is also stupefyingly obtuse. Not to mention dangerous.
Remember all those childhood dreams where the monster is coming and you want to run but your feet won't move? Looks like our psyches were sending early warning missives that we failed to prepare for. May we find a way to stop this madness!
This made me laugh: “This weekend, CNN broadcast a segment about our story, with anchor Michael Smerconish practically tugging at his collar in discomfort over having to cite me in the absence of someone more mainstream.”
Oligarch media is teeming with tools. Keep doing what you’re doing, Ken!
As many of us do, I assume, I wake up each morning thinking either, "I wonder what he's done now," or "I wonder if he's fill-in-the-blank." About a month ago it was, "I wonder if he's started bombing Iran yet." Yup. I HATE DOING THIS" Now it's, "I wonder if it's boots on the ground yet." The problem is that he's so unpredictable it can be anything. From the ballroom to a Sharpie to the new columns for the White House. Why must we be ruled by this kind of insanity???
Any of the spec ops or potential land occupations (island, shoreline or towns, etc.) under consideration are going to be high risk operations in Iran--even with full control of & support from air & sea power. If the spec ops or a land occupation fail (or even if they 'succeed'), there's bound to be significant casualties. And the craziest part of what Trump and the Pentagon are considering doing is that none of the options are likely to lead to the opening of the SoH to normal ship traffic. Trump's hoping to salvage a strategic victory via a successful tactical military operation...But the bigger strategic outcome he's looking for isn't at all guaranteed from localized military success(es). One hopes his frustrations and dread of being seen as a humiliated 'loser' doesn't push him to consider even more extreme options/solutions.
Excellent as always, Ken. For what it's worth, I live near a small military base in SoCal. Friends in the Marines have been told the goal is to keep them here but they will be sent if they are needed. These are people with training mainly in medicine/IDC etc.
“What none of this fiddling includes are the number of special operations forces which are not officially disclosed. This includes special operators from Army special forces groups, Army Rangers, Army aviation from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Navy SEALs and “special warfare” personnel, Air Force “special tactics” fighters, Marine commandos, the Joint Special Operations Command that spearheaded the Maduro operation, and supporting intelligence, transport, communications, as well as CIA paramilitaries, clandestine intelligence collectors and others.”
Klippenstein who? If they’re talking about you, you’re winning: Congrats Ken!…:)
That said, I agree with everything you’ve said. Trump is too clever by half. He now understands that bombastic threats alone only prove him to be weak.
That said, I have some observations as well as concerns; so let’s play devil’s advocate.
First, I understand Trump is just sending Troops in on the fly. No training for this mission whatsoever; or limited at best. This doesn’t necessarily mean Trump won’t invade with more than special forces.
After all, the invasion was poorly planned; and it was as reckless as it was impulsive. But this is Trump.
Moreover, what exactly are these special operators going to do? Searching for the enriched uranium won’t be easy—it took us ten years to find Osama; I’m pretty positive the Iranian’s are smart enough not to store it all in one place!
Additionally, we had more Katie Johnson news and FBI interviews came out this week implicating Trump further in scandal—if the press can take a moment away from this ludicrous war! This is exactly my point, and why Trump couldn’t give a rats ass about American Troops; as evidence by him monetizing their deaths and his overall dismissal of their sacrifices: they’re losers! He will send men and women to die to avoid culpability! Trump is a malignant, morally bankrupt sociopath: And this is not in doubt!
Furthermore, Trump is now in a conundrum of his own making. If he blinks first, America is dead as a superpower; not that we aren’t already; however, our demise will be greatly accelerated!
The consequences of losing reserve status: No more reserve currency of the world. We will pay more to borrow, and for commodities like gas, tin aluminum—everything! And we are now at 122% debt to GDP ratio; let that sink in!
My point, we will be broke and prove to be no less of a paper tiger than Russia appears to be, and no one will take us seriously again: Oh wait, that ship has already sailed!
Bottom line, the audacity of this administration’s lunacy, has passed the point of absurdity.
Therefore, always remember, “it’s always darkest before it turns pitch black!…:)
This is an illegal war. Congress has abdicated its responsibilities. That being said, we’re in it, and stuck with an emboldened Iran, or declare victory and withdraw. The table is already set for mass starvation with fertilizer unavailable due to blockade of the gulf. This will have second and third order effects nobody is talking about. If the Basij and Artesh are not paid, they desert. From the hinterlands inward. That’s the only hope left. Pull a Leeeeeroy Jenkins, and hope that they won’t destroy Kargh Island. Buy some food grade buckets, rice, beans and hot sauce. I already have arms and ballistic vest and K-pot. Gonna get ugly. Lifetime Cubs fan. Expect the worst even when 9 up on the Mets in August…
No clapping for any of this insanity! All of these wars of choice for the past 4 decades are criminal on their face, and the USA has not only lost them all, but they've destroyed whole swaths of the Levant, returned control of Iraq to Shia friendly to Iran, and ended up with the Taliban back in charge in Afghanistan. Not to mention the millions of deaths resulting from endless sanctions. Shame on those Americans who blindly support any or all of this!
Nice job Mr. Klipperstein
Thanks Lori!
Our leaders are so stupid and they've been watching too many James Bond movies. They tried this in Ukraine to take over a nuclear power plant and the special forces were blown up before they even got off the boat.
Several reports are talking about the raid, just not MSM, including Breaking Points today, and others reporting on substack. The big silence from the MSM is intended to induce the Big Sleep, which will allow this disastrous small-group engagement to be initiated. The likelihood that Iran will not be prepared to repel them is laughable: The idea that Iran will not cause immense pain to the aggressors elsewhere is also stupefyingly obtuse. Not to mention dangerous.
Remember all those childhood dreams where the monster is coming and you want to run but your feet won't move? Looks like our psyches were sending early warning missives that we failed to prepare for. May we find a way to stop this madness!
This made me laugh: “This weekend, CNN broadcast a segment about our story, with anchor Michael Smerconish practically tugging at his collar in discomfort over having to cite me in the absence of someone more mainstream.”
Oligarch media is teeming with tools. Keep doing what you’re doing, Ken!
Trump going commando. Thanks for the visual I can't unsee Ken!!
Ken,
You are a trusted voice. I appreciate the work you do. You bring whatever clarity you are able.
P.S. "clarity" was initially autocorrected as "claret," which amused me. if you did bring claret I'm sure it would be of good vintage.
Great job Ken. Keep it going
Thanks Stephen
Argentina made these dudes think they’re invincible. Marines could 100% take the island but Iran probably has every inch zeroed in.
I assume you mean Venezuela ?
lol yeah, although who knows what tomorrow brings. The US is going around the world like Russell Crowe in “Unhinged”
A raid to do what? Piss Iran off a bit more before we break for a few more months?
As many of us do, I assume, I wake up each morning thinking either, "I wonder what he's done now," or "I wonder if he's fill-in-the-blank." About a month ago it was, "I wonder if he's started bombing Iran yet." Yup. I HATE DOING THIS" Now it's, "I wonder if it's boots on the ground yet." The problem is that he's so unpredictable it can be anything. From the ballroom to a Sharpie to the new columns for the White House. Why must we be ruled by this kind of insanity???
Any of the spec ops or potential land occupations (island, shoreline or towns, etc.) under consideration are going to be high risk operations in Iran--even with full control of & support from air & sea power. If the spec ops or a land occupation fail (or even if they 'succeed'), there's bound to be significant casualties. And the craziest part of what Trump and the Pentagon are considering doing is that none of the options are likely to lead to the opening of the SoH to normal ship traffic. Trump's hoping to salvage a strategic victory via a successful tactical military operation...But the bigger strategic outcome he's looking for isn't at all guaranteed from localized military success(es). One hopes his frustrations and dread of being seen as a humiliated 'loser' doesn't push him to consider even more extreme options/solutions.
It's Ken Klippenstein and you better remember it, Smearconish
Excellent as always, Ken. For what it's worth, I live near a small military base in SoCal. Friends in the Marines have been told the goal is to keep them here but they will be sent if they are needed. These are people with training mainly in medicine/IDC etc.
“What none of this fiddling includes are the number of special operations forces which are not officially disclosed. This includes special operators from Army special forces groups, Army Rangers, Army aviation from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Navy SEALs and “special warfare” personnel, Air Force “special tactics” fighters, Marine commandos, the Joint Special Operations Command that spearheaded the Maduro operation, and supporting intelligence, transport, communications, as well as CIA paramilitaries, clandestine intelligence collectors and others.”
Klippenstein who? If they’re talking about you, you’re winning: Congrats Ken!…:)
That said, I agree with everything you’ve said. Trump is too clever by half. He now understands that bombastic threats alone only prove him to be weak.
That said, I have some observations as well as concerns; so let’s play devil’s advocate.
First, I understand Trump is just sending Troops in on the fly. No training for this mission whatsoever; or limited at best. This doesn’t necessarily mean Trump won’t invade with more than special forces.
After all, the invasion was poorly planned; and it was as reckless as it was impulsive. But this is Trump.
Moreover, what exactly are these special operators going to do? Searching for the enriched uranium won’t be easy—it took us ten years to find Osama; I’m pretty positive the Iranian’s are smart enough not to store it all in one place!
Additionally, we had more Katie Johnson news and FBI interviews came out this week implicating Trump further in scandal—if the press can take a moment away from this ludicrous war! This is exactly my point, and why Trump couldn’t give a rats ass about American Troops; as evidence by him monetizing their deaths and his overall dismissal of their sacrifices: they’re losers! He will send men and women to die to avoid culpability! Trump is a malignant, morally bankrupt sociopath: And this is not in doubt!
Furthermore, Trump is now in a conundrum of his own making. If he blinks first, America is dead as a superpower; not that we aren’t already; however, our demise will be greatly accelerated!
The consequences of losing reserve status: No more reserve currency of the world. We will pay more to borrow, and for commodities like gas, tin aluminum—everything! And we are now at 122% debt to GDP ratio; let that sink in!
My point, we will be broke and prove to be no less of a paper tiger than Russia appears to be, and no one will take us seriously again: Oh wait, that ship has already sailed!
Bottom line, the audacity of this administration’s lunacy, has passed the point of absurdity.
Therefore, always remember, “it’s always darkest before it turns pitch black!…:)
Don’t ever advocate for the Devil.
Touché!..:)
What did Keizer Soce say in Usual Suspects?
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
And this is how we know Trump isn’t the devil; he’s too obvious—and not even clever by half.
He’s just the oblivious and buffoonish marionette dancing to the tune of YMCA…:)
This is an illegal war. Congress has abdicated its responsibilities. That being said, we’re in it, and stuck with an emboldened Iran, or declare victory and withdraw. The table is already set for mass starvation with fertilizer unavailable due to blockade of the gulf. This will have second and third order effects nobody is talking about. If the Basij and Artesh are not paid, they desert. From the hinterlands inward. That’s the only hope left. Pull a Leeeeeroy Jenkins, and hope that they won’t destroy Kargh Island. Buy some food grade buckets, rice, beans and hot sauce. I already have arms and ballistic vest and K-pot. Gonna get ugly. Lifetime Cubs fan. Expect the worst even when 9 up on the Mets in August…